November 2, 2008

Ministry warns of risks in using Osim and Surgipack hot/cold packs

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry yesterday warned the public against using hot/cold packs produced by Surgipack and Osim as they can cause side effects.
Its medical equipment bureau, in a statement here, said the ministry was recently informed by the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore through the Asean information sharing network that the hot/cold packs sold there contained ethylene glycol, a toxic substance that could affect the nervous system and eventually lead to renal failure.
The Health Sciences Authority listed the products as Surgipack Soft Hot/Cold Pack Large, Surgipack Soft Hot/Cold Pack Small, Soft R&R ColdHot Pack M, Soft R&R ColdHot Pack L, Osim uBaby Fever Band, Osim Shoulder PAd, Osim uKids Fever Band, Osim Face Mask, Osim Eye Mask and Osim Hot/Cold Com- press.
The bureau said the packs were safe to use if users followed the instructions on them.
“But users should not be exposed to the contents,” the statement said, adding that the danger lay in the plastic packs which could tear.
It advised those who wanted to continue using the products to contact the distributors to get full details first.
The statement also said the bureau had advised the manufacturers and distributors to voluntarily withdraw the products from the market.
Follow-up monitoring showed Surgipack is not sold in Malaysia while Osim has heeded the bureau’s advice, it added.